Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-10-14


co and fragrant tea"
With many bows they led him in
to an unoccupied room, ard when
food ard drink were placed before him
he was left alone He was soon
waited on by another girl, who came
to inquire if he wanted anything
more, and Kampei was astounded to
recognize in the new conner Niya-
but not the Niya in quiet attire, with
downcast looks, whom he left behind
at Morioka She bad gay clothes;
her hair was adorned with large gold
headed pins aud her face powdered
Niya drew back in confusion on
seeing Kampei; then, collecting her
self she advanced, and, pretending
not to recognize him, sail: "a gen.
tlemen of the army Of chastisement
is welcome to the chaya. We are
thankful that he deigns to honor our
humble house by stopping here"
Kampei's face was grave as he
asked: How is this, Niya? Has
misfortune overtaken your family
that O-Suba and your aunt have per-
mitted you TO become menial in a
tea house ?'
The girl hung head, but did not
answer. Had he been merely
scornful at her loss of caste, she
could be defiant; but he was evi-
IDENTIFY sorry for Ter
"Why have you done this, Niya?'
the yOnng man continued reproach-
fully. "Iou were not born in power
ty; you were happy; why, then did
you leave home for such an Occupa-
ton as this?"
Niya looked at the mats silently.
Hea lips quivered. the bushes that
mounted from Der throat to her fore
bead faded away, pursued by dead.
Iy paleness, and her limbs trembled
so much that she dropped on the
ground and hid her face in her broad
sleeves.
An old man entered from the ver-
auda. and, after bowling to Kampei,
described the girl motionless, with
her head leaning against a partition,
Howl" he cried, angriIy, ''moping
in this way with the house full CT
guests-tr troublesome fellows, too,
like those samuari. who curse and
threaten if they are delayed but one
moment. Up this instant. | say, or
1 shall use my whip on your shoul-
ders!'
Niya seemed glad to escape from
Kampei's questions, and she with
drew, followed by the master of the
house
Drawing the tobacco stand toward
him Kampei filed and lit his pipe,
and while smoking puzzled himself
in endeavoring to explain Niya's
presence there. The singing in the
adjoining chamber grew more bois-
tefious, and sometimes kampei heard
the clash of swords, the voices OF the
frightened attendants and the entreat-
les of the proprietor. Il all Jared on
the young mans feelings, and were
it possible he would left the place
But there were only miserable villa
ges between the ehaya aud Morioka,
and apart from his fatigue, the way
was lonely and dangerous on account
of robbers.
He strolled to the back of the inn,
and pursued little Jagged path to-
ward a rustic summer house erected
on an artificial mound. 4 elight
railing on either side divided the
path from the garden, where the sum
mer chrysanthemums, the peonies
and pinks were bursting into bloom,
while the camelia, azalea and prim-
rose gave forth expiring strength in
few delicate flowers Some late vio-
lets peeped timidly from the shadow
of huge rock; around the lattice
work of the summer house vine ten
drills struggled with dainty ematis,
and cherry blossoms, from which the
house was named, bloomed in gay
profusion everywhere.
Sitting there in the silence Of the
evening, the soft landscape spread
out beneath him, the door Of the gar
den mounting to the arbor, Kampei
almost forgot his recent annoyance
and INDUCED in pleasant dreams of
the future. Dusk was advancing,
when he was startled by seeing Niya,
wLo had approached noisel9selY,
standing in the doorway. She uttered
little scream OF finding the summer
house occupied, aud was about to go
away, when Aampei recalled her and
desired her in a harsh voice to sit
down. She obeyed, the blood mean
while mounting Indignantly to her
forehead; and when Kampei looked
severely at her she hastily brushed
away the traces of recent tears and
said dehantly.
Grown not thus. good Kampei,; !;
| am not O Suba, your betrothed; |
am only Niya. Are not my p arents
dead? And who, then, will dare to
reprove me if | do what | please? Go
10 Morioka, hampei, and let yop and
O-Suba forget tie wretched Niya,
who will never return to her home"
She rose to her feet while speaking
end was about to leaye, when Kam-
pei again stopped her aid said sor-
| fovfally:
"You have chosen mean calling
that your parents would have reject
ed as vulgar and disgracefal; their
spirits are displeased, and you can no
more visit their tombs or pray before
the god shelf with q peaceful mind
There was time that | thought |
loved Niya more than G.Spba, and
now-yah, YAH" he continued scorn-
fully, after pause, "get away, you
low creature You are no longer
anything to me but the miserable tea
attendant"
Ee turned away from her with a
gesture Of anger. She c.assed her
hands to her side and staggered
against the frail structure trembling;
then, looking at him wildly, she ut
tered a heartbroken cry and rushed
down the path, past the house and
across the broad road.
Kampei followed the girl with his
eyes, and, when 10 saw her climb
the bank on the roadside and spring
into the river flowing slowly beyond
he muttered to himself:
4 Il